Adventures with Stacie

T.O.T May 7, 2013

Trying to keep up with the blogging. So here is another T.O.T
This week’s T.O.T., is some of my favorite quotes

1) Be kinder than necessary for everyone is fighting some kind of battle – Anonymous
2) You catch more bees with honey -Unknown
3) Life is notes underneath our fingers, you just got to figure out which notes to play to make our music.
~ Jamie Foxx’s Grandmother
4) You shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw back ~ Maya Angelou
5) Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heal that has crushed it – Mark Twain
6) For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness – Ralph Waldo Emerson
7) You can spend minutes, hours, days, weeks, or even months over-analyzing a situation; trying to put the
pieces together, justifying what could’ve, would’ve happened… or you can just leave the pieces on the floor and move
the fuck on ~ Tupac Shakur
8) The past can hurt, but you can either run from it, or learn from it ~ Rafiki
9) The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all ~ Mulan
10) If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all – Unknown

T.O.T. April 30th, 2013

WOW it has been a REALLY long time since I have blogged!! Shame on me
I have had a lot of stuff going on in my life and sometimes I feel like I am lucky if I can even find time to pee or breathe

I thought the best thing to break back into the blogging world would be a T.O.T, so here it goes

1. I am so proud of who my son is becoming. He has his normal teenage attitude moments, but for the most part, he is growing up to be a respectful young man.
2. I am still aiming towards my goal of buying a house. My original goal was to move out in 2012, clearly that didn’t happen, but I chalk it up to be that my house isn’t ready for me yet and when it is, I will buy it.
3. I am very disappointed and disgusted with how much I have slacked in the weight loss/watching area. I worked so hard last year and was in a bikini last summer. You’ll be lucky to see me in a suit at all this summer.
4. In following with the weight loss / fitness seen. I have again registered for the McGuiggan’s 5k this June. I wasn’t planning on doing it this year, because I truthfully do NOT like running, but I have found out the proceeds this year are going to the One Fund Boston, I can’t NOT do it knowing that
5. The whole Boston Marathon event was so tragic and made my heart really sad. I hear everyone wishing that Bomber # 2should be tortured and abused and other such things. How does that make us better than him wishing such violence upon him. I am praying for him. He is obviously not well and needs prayers more than punishment.
6. Summer is coming, which means, cookouts, fires and SMORES!! Of course the last one doesn’t coincide with # 3 & 4 of this post. Lol
7. I love that people like to come hang at SHH Inn, I hope that once I purchase the Chateaux H.H., people will still come and hang out just as often. Lord knows once I have a house I won’t be abel to afford to go out 
8. Thursday nights have become very special to me. I am either hanging with my bestie Michelle, a.k.a, Maria, or having dinner at Casa Pimental, which also includes my bestest of besties, my brother
9. I am so lucky to have such an awesome brother in my life. We fought when we were younger but now I call him best friend!! He is the one man who has always been there for me and for my son! I love you Bro!!!
10. Mother’s day is right around the corner. I am lucky to have such a supportive mother as well. They didn’t have to buy a house 10 years ago big enough for Evan & I, but they did and although it is way overdue for us to get our own place I know I will miss having them around all the time as I know they will miss it as well.

I happened to be home Monday afternoon when Evan came home from school. Looking out the window I saw him as he was walking up the street. I no longer saw my “little” boy. He is looking so grown up these days and it is so bitter sweet. Evan is definitely a typical soon to be, TEEN, boy with his attitudes and such, but I am so proud of the young man he has become and is growing up to be. He still likes to snuggle up with his mama now and then and has verbally stated that he has the “best Mom in the whole wide world” These things make my heart sing. Parenting is scary in and of itself, but when you are a single parent…regardless of having a great support system (which I am happy to say I have) it is that much scarier. You worry about every decision you make and how it will effect your child. I try not to spoil Evan by giving everything he WANTS. I do my very best to give him everything he NEEDS and he does get most of what he WANTS…with in reason of course.
I can see the positive impact that karate and counseling has had on him in the recent past and the I am happy I decided to involve him in both of these things

Here are a couple of pics of then and now

So tomorrow is the 4th and that means a fabulous bash with my AWESOME family at “The Cottage”

Ten things I am looking forward to:

1) First and foremost being surrounded by my aforementioned, AWESOME family
2) “Relaxing” on the beach..not there is such thing when you have children (hence the quotation marks)
3) Watching the younger generation interact with each other – the little ones truly adore their older cousins and MOST of the time, the older cousins are very good and attentive with the younger ones
4) Pics! Pics! and more Pics!!!
5) Food glorious food. There is always an abundance of delicious food to be consumed
6) Games, whether it be Gold toss, bocce or cards, there is bound to be a game or two..or three going on
7) Not sure if Pop (Uncle Tom) is working Thursday, but if not, I hope he makes “Poppy’s Sweet Bacon” lol
8) Did I mention my awesome family!!!
9) Family walk to the beach
10) and of course FIREWORKS!!!!!

I hope everyone has a happy and SAFE 4th of July holiday

God Bless America!

T.O.T – June 26, 2012

Its been quite a few months since I have posted anything on this blog. I have been a huge .O.T slacker when it comes to blogging

1. I have paid off my car and am now paying myself the payment!
2. With that “extra” money I am saving for a down payment on a house
3. I complete my first 5K. I didn’t run the whole thing, but I complete it, and in under 40 minutes! And I was not in last place
4. I am in a size 6 for the first time in YEARS!
5. Evan is going to be going back to the Youth Ministry Camp in Pennsylvania again, and he is very much looking forward to it
6. Proud of the young man that he is growing up to be
7. I am super excited at the prospect of owning my own house. It will be weird and possible scary for a lilt bit, but I am excited!
8. Looking forward to a fun filled summer, on a budget of course
9. Hoping to amp up my Pampered Chef business with some new ides, including Virtual Online Parties
10. Thanking God for all of the blessings that he has sent my way. I really have nothing that I can truthfully complain about.

I promise to try and be better at blogging…TRY being the keyword

As most of you know, one of my biggest goals this year is to move out of mom’s house and get my own place. I am so very excited about this new adventure, at the same time nervous. I have never lived on my own before. Well I guess technically I still won’t be own, as I will have Evan with me.

When I first started this adventure, I was initially just looking into renting an apartment somewhere. While out last weekend I happened to meet a real estate agent. I was telling him how I was going to be in the market for an apartment this year. He asked why I was looking for an apartment and not a house. I really never even gave it a thought. Me, owning my own home??? All on my own???
I
Well, the seed has been planted and that’s exactly what I am setting out to do! I have got in contact with a friend of mine who is a real estate agent. I am getting daily emails of property listings and I am seeing that I CAN really do this!!!

So I usually don’t do favors with the expectation of getting something in return, however, for all of those that I have helped move or paint or clean… I will most likely be calling on you for perhaps some of those same tasks.

Evan is excited about us getting a home as well. He is looking forward to having a bigger room

What an accomplishment it will be for me as a single mother to own my own home!

Please keep us in your prayers and thoughts on this magnificent journey that we will be taking in the next few months

I have to thank God for the wonderful things happening in my life.

Evan’s aunt Shannon gave me an AWESOME Christmas gift this year! It was a photo album with black and whites of Evan as a baby, and a few color ones as well. I started crying the minute I opened it. I can’t believe how fast time flies by. He was such a happy baby and for the most part tends to still be happy…except for those hormonal teenage days. lol. anyway I wanted to share these pictures so here you go

Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve and we are heading down to the cottage for our annual New Year’s Family bash..

I was thinking this morning how much has happened or changed in the past year…

This time last year I was cursing Evan’s father for being a loser and not being involved in his son’s life…he has done a big turn around and has been very involved with Evan

I have had a couple of “relationships” in the past year…I use the term relationship very loosely. A few people have mentioned to me that 2012 will be my year. Though at times I think it would be nice to not the the odd wheel with all the couples around me, and to have someone to spend time with, I also enjoy my independence and doing things how and when I want to do things. I sometimes wonder if I will ever find that “one” who can put up with my finickiness. Will I find someone that I won’t get bored with after two months?? I’m not look for a pity party here, just voicing the thoughts I sometimes have.

In the past year I have was laid off from IPC, where I worked for 11 years. It was hard to take at first. I was devastated. I felt like I was handed divorce papers. Some of the people at IPC I have known for 11 years. We had seen each other through lots of ups and downs. I picked my head up though, let my fingers do the walking on Monster.com among other sites and was fortunate to find a job within a month. UNfortunately it was NOT the job for me as I soon found out, but thanks to the grace of god and prayers, I received a phone call from Franklin Sports, where I now work, offering me a customer service job. I hopped right on that. It’s local, the people are all very nice. There is very little stress and drama. I love it!

As you all know we went to Disney this year. what an AMAZING trip! It rained for a couple of days but we still had such a great time!! Surprising Evan was the best! I hope it will be something he remembers for the rest of his life. I still can’t believe that I was able to keep it a secret for 8 months!!! It was such a tremendous feeling to be able to take my son to Disney, all on my own!!

I started attending church regularly and I feel great about it. Evan has been involved in the youth group at the church as well and he loves it. I started going with my friend Di and I have met some really wonderful people! I look forward to going every Sunday. I was sad to miss this weeks service, as it was on Christmas Eve and I had the Heal Christmas to attend. I will also miss this weeks service as I will be down the cape for New Year’s festivities. We’ll be back on the 8th though! Can’t wait!

Last February I joined WW with a bunch of ladies from work and I lost almost all of the weight I put on after quitting smoking. Unfortunately after being laid off I couldn’t afford WW and I wasn’t being strict with myself and put on at least half the weight that I lost. Julie and I have joined together though and I’m back on the losing track! Julie is doing AWESOME!! I haven’t been as strict as I could be, after the new year I will crack down and start losing!! I WILL be a Yummy Mummy this summer!!

I have reconnected with some old friends this year and made some new friends, as well as cut ties with those friends who should not really be categorized as “friends”

This year I hope to strengthen my relationships with all of my friends and family. I am so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life and I hope that they know how much I appreciate each and every one!

I wish everyone a Happy & Healthy New Year!!!!

Until next year….

I decided to let my loved ones write my T.O.T. again

Here are a few of their favorite things about me

1) Wayne Tucker – That you’re down to drink when drinking needs to be done.
2) Crista Campbell – your heart ♥
3) Peggy Donahue – And u help me with pictures!!!!!
4) Tanya Dennison Pimental – Not only are you great to have a drink with and have a huge heart…but you’re an amazing mom and friend. You wear your feelings on you sleeve and your not ashamed of it.
5) Carrie-Ann Barreira – Your love for your son and how carefree and good hearted you are.
6) Rachel Ventura – You’re not just my cousin, you’re a great friend! You’re loving and caring and fun! And I love you!! ♥
7) Nicole Karo – Ur a great mom =D
8) Michelle Leger Tautkus – AND QUITE FUNNY I MUST ADD
9) Sharon Shea Heal – You are so honest! I’m so honored to be a part of your life. I truly love you.
10) Wally Heal – Your brother

Seems the good mom and good heart is a pretty common favorite

A couple more that exceeded the list of ten were:

Margaret Costello – Your generosity and giving spirit:)
Michelle Cartier – the way you put everyone else before yourself

thank You all for boosting my self esteem a little!
Love you all with my great big heart!

Being that Evan is 12 and Christmas falls in the 12th month of the year, thought I would post a few pics from Evan’s very first Christmas…12 years ago..WHAT?!?!?

My baby is no longer a baby